Changing market conditions, the rollout of a new blockbuster drug and new corporate management in a medium-sized pharmaceutical company were the drivers for a change in the business model and the realignment of the European organization. The previously rather local responsibility of the country managing directors was to be supplemented in favour of a European matrix organization with new roles and responsibilities set up functionally across countries.
Developing objectives, design and milestones for executive coaching
The current interim manager was commissioned as a permanent HR manager to develop and implement a development programme for executives. The program was intended to enable managers to act as role models for the changed corporate culture from the top down and to improve employee management in order to ultimately achieve an increase in business results. The main target group was around 100 managers, divided into senior management teams and other senior and middle management teams at headquarters and in the country offices.
The current interim manager defined the main objectives, design and milestones of the leadership development program in collaboration with a renowned business school in Oxford. Senior management had identified the topics of change management, employee performance management and authentic leadership as the greatest need for change for the managers.
Course modules designed and implemented - local managers trained in the countries
To implement these goals, the team led by the interim manager designed three four-day course modules for each topic area. The content was deepened through lectures, exchanges with other companies, case studies and interactive coaching sessions. 360-degree feedback before and after the modules and surveys of the managers' teams were used to monitor success.
At the same time, the interim manager trained local HR managers and managers in the countries in order to pass on selected learning content from the program to new starters even after the initial rollout.
Managers' leadership qualities and team results improved significantly
The managers' leadership qualities and team results improved significantly over the course of two years. Due to the great success, the company entrusted the interim manager and the business school with another program for the lowest management level and team leaders. This program was implemented in eight different languages and delivered to several hundred managers in twelve countries by local trainers from an independent training institute.
Thanks to the composition of participants and the collaboration across national borders and functions during the training, a network was formed with an ongoing exchange of experiences that made the product launch successful and significantly increased the company's results.
